New Ross academic Dr Karen Hennesy has been appointed as the head of the Institute's of Technology Carlow's Wexford Campus.

Dr Hennessy's appointment comes at a significant time for the Institute following the passing in the Seanad last week of the Technological Universities Bill and at a time of planned expansion for the Wexford campus.

The Institute of Technology Carlow Wexford Campus will form an integral part of the development of the multi-campus Technological University for the South East (TUSE), although a location has still to be found following the collapse of past plans to build the new complex on the Newtown Road in Wexford town.

As Acting Head of the Wexford Campus, Dr Hennessy has already overseen increased academic provision at the Summerhill Campus, with the rollout of new programmes that include the BSc (Hons) in Sustainable Farm Management and Agribusiness and the HDip in Business in Aquabusiness.

Dr Hennessy will be centrally involved in the procurement and development of a new greenfield site by the Institute as the next phase of a significant and long-term strategic plan for the Wexford Campus and with the Wexford team will continue to expand the already extensive links and collaborations with other education providers and with key stakeholders across the private, public and voluntary sectors in the county and beyond.

Dr Hennessy attended St Mary's Secondary School in New Ross and went on to study physical education at Queens University Belfast.

She attained an MSc in Exercise Physiology, an MBA in Sports Management, an MA in Education Management and a PhD in Sports Management/Marketing from UCD. Previously a lecturer, programme director and Head of Centre in UCD from 2001 to 2013, Dr Hennessy joined Institute of Technology Carlow as Head of Department of Sports, Media and Marketing in 2013, before becoming acting Head of Wexford Campus in 2016.

Speaking about her appointment, Dr Hennessy said, 'As a native of Wexford, I am absolutely delighted to be appointed to the position of Head of Wexford Campus and to be afforded the opportunity to drive higher education provision within the county and region.

'I would like to acknowledge the sterling work undertaken by my predecessors in this role, especially Caroline Murphy, and I intend to honour and build upon their achievements.'

Dr Hennessy said she believes the Wexford Campus has a truly great future ahead, with a new Campus on the horizon and as an integral part of the new multi-campus Technological University of the South East.